Australia by Car

Springbrook National Park is nuzzled between Lamington National Park and the coastline of Queensland’s Gold Coast. Located just 100 kilometres south of Brisbane, Springbrook is the ideal location for a weekend escape and a chance to get back in touch with nature!

Springbrook can easily be accessed via the Pacific Motorway by taking the Mudgeeraba exit and following the Gold Coast-Springbrook Road. This scenic drive takes you through lush, pristine, and untouched rainforest. Dominating the skyline west of Broadbeach, you can enjoy magnificent views of the coast while taking in the surrounding wonders of the Gold Coast Hinterland.

The National Park covers a total of three sections: Springbrook Plateau, Mount Cougal and the Natural Bridge. Explore the cascades and tumbling creeks as you trek along one of the many walking tracks which take you through the subtropical rainforest. Climb the plateau to experience the breathtaking views of this spectacular area. The park is ideal for a family day out, with new exciting things to see around every twist and bend of the tracks. Enjoy a picnic lunch in front of the Purlingbrook Falls and soak up the clean crisp air that you can’t find in the city!

The National Park is not the only drawing card of the Springbrook Region. The area’s rich soil and cool climate makes it the perfect spot for grape growing. Visit the Springbrook Winery and Vineyard and sample some exceptional local wine, while exploring the beautiful gardens. The Springbrook Glow Worms Research Centre is another of the area’s tourist attractions. The kids are guaranteed to be captivated by the incredibility of the clever little worms and the adults may even get a kick out of it too!

The Springbrook area is truly the hidden jewel of the Gold Coast Hinterland. Its easy accessibility can be made even simpler when you hire a car from Discovery Car Hire so you really have no excuse not to visit this spectacular rainforest destination!

Airlie Beach is known as the gateway to the Whitsundays as it is the focal point of activity on the mainland. The tropical holiday town is situated on the beachfront of Pioneer Bay and overlooks the wondrous Whitsunday Islands. Airlie Beach is easily accessible by car, by driving through Abel Point Marina, which is the home of the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week, an annual, internationally recognised, sailing regatta.

Airlie Beach is perfect for those seeking either adventure and action or comfort and relaxation. The tropical ambience of the surrounds, the picturesque beaches and stunning rainforest tracks and waterfalls, offer endless beauty and enjoyment. Visitors can venture off the mainland and explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef on day cruises, while engaging in diving, snorkelling and fishing activities.

Airlie Beach is also the end destination of the Whitsunday Great Walk. The walk, which begins in at Brandy Creek, stretches through tropical rainforest with spectacular views of the islands throughout the entire walk. The walk is a challenge but allows visitors to travel at their desired pace.

Take a short drive inland and you will come across the “Sweetheart of the Whitsundays”, Proserpine. This rural town is the home of the key infrastructure of the Whitsundays and is often referred to as “Barra Country”. The town of Bowen is also popular for fishing lovers, with the scenic beaches offering great fishing “hot spots”.

Most visitors to Airlie Beach chose to stay at the Airlie Beach Hotel, which is situated in the heart of Airlie Beach. The resort-style accommodation encompasses direct water views and prides itself on offering three quality restaurants. The hotel offers comfortable and affordable accommodation which allows you to relax and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

To explore Airlie Beach and surrounding areas in style and comfort, inquire about hiring a car at Discovery Car Hire. Enjoy!

Driving up into the mountains of the Sunshine Coast hinterland there is a noticeable change in the air around you. It takes on a crisp edge- brisk and vibrant. Just by breathing it in you feel more alive- a feeling that can only be complemented by a visit to Montville, a cosy village with spectacular ocean and National Park views.

Montville has the air of an English Village, especially in the winter time when the high altitude makes things rather chilly. Settled in 1887 by citrus growers, the heritage of the region is evident in its architecture. Most of the houses are log and stone cottages built in a definite English style, with a few Swiss and Bavarian cottages thrown in too. Many of the houses offer a view across the coastal plain to the beautiful Sunshine Coast beaches in the distance.

Often referred to as the ‘creative heart of the Sunshine Coast’, Montville contains a delightful collection of galleries, studios and specialty shops, showcasing the arts and crafts of the many artists that glean inspiration from the beautiful surroundings here.

One such creative stronghold worth a visit is the Black Forest Hill Clock Centre, where thousands of cuckoo clocks and German Grandfather Clocks are on display. Built according to the clock making traditions of the Black Forest region in Germany, each clock has meticulous attention to detail and its manufacture is overseen by a genuine German clock maker.

Just north of the village is the Kondalilla National Park, where there are a number of trails that take you through the thick lush rainforest and past stunning waterfalls. Its a great days outing.

Montville and the rest of the Sunshine Coast hinterland are yours to explore in a rental car from Discovery Car Hire. Enjoy!

The town of Chillagoe in Queensland came into being because of the richness of minerals lying beneath its surface. Although now that the heady days of the mineral boom at the turn of the last century are long over, it is what lies underground at Chillagoe that still supports the town.

When the shallow sea covering it receded thousands of years ago the limestone reefs that were exposed have since been shaped by the elements and large underground caves have formed. These caves are one of the chief reasons people come to Chillagoe.

They lie in the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, and their dazzling caverns and archways covered in stalagmites and stalactites can be explored via several walking tracks or on a guided tour. Expect to see lots of species of bats, and if you are lucky other unique wildlife such as rock pythons!

Its not just the caves that people come for though- its a combination of them, the beautiful outback scenery, the laid back country atmosphere and the mining heritage. This heritage can best be experienced in the Chillagoe Museum, where a collection of old mining equipment and interesting Aboriginal artefacts are on display.

The Chillagoe Mine itself is protected under the State Heritage Register, and in the old township the smelters (where once 1000 people worked) still dominate the skyline. Stories of the mining days of old abound, and you will learn much about the staunch pioneers that established towns like these.

200 kilometres inland from Cairns, a drive in your hire car from there will take about 3 hours. Most people coming here will choose to stay in the Chillagoe Cabins, beautiful self contained cottages that really complement the outback experience. There are also a couple of hotels in town too. For all your hire car needs visit Discovery Car Hire.

Deep in central western Queensland lies the legendary township many consider to be the heart of the Sunshine State- Longreach. Experience the rich heritage and delve into the colourful past of this pioneering town which was settled in the 1870’s, and enjoy the outback stories of the friendly locals over a pint of beer in the local pub.

There are a variety of man made and natural attractions to see in Longreach. The Thompson River is a great spot for an evening river cruise, and fishermen will love to try their hand at catching the tasty yellow belly that lurk in its depths. This is one of Queenslands most prosperous wool and beef areas, so visit a farm and get shown the ropes of the industry. Read this article for more information on the region.

The Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach is one of the biggest attractions in Central Queensland. This large, modern establishment pays tribute to the pioneering men and women whose lives contributed to the outback lifestyle as we know it today. Its historical timeline is accurate and interesting, and you’re gonna need a few hours to fully appreciate it.

Longreach also has a long association with Qantas, which actually had its first operational base in the town before it grew into our national airline. This hangar is now part of the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, a great place to brush up on your aviation history and browse the records and artefacts in the museum.

Longreach is pretty far from anywhere… but remember the journey is half the destination. Pick up a hire car from Discovery and drive the 1181 km from Brisbane or the 687 km from Rockhampton. Alternatively you could fly into Longreach Airport!

Magnetic Island and Townsville are nearly always mentioned in the same breath by tourists. Lying a 25 minute ferry ride off the coast, this lush tropical island has become the towns holiday extension- its own world class weekend getaway! And with over 300 days of sunshine a year, the island attracts visitors from all over the world.
There is a resident population of 2000 people, and the island has a plethora of lodges and hotels that cater to the tastes and budget of all holiday makers, giving it a wide range of appeal.
Adding to its appeal are the 23 bays and beaches that surround the border of the island. There are the popular beaches that are favoured by the tourists for their ease of accessibility and their safety, the largest of these being Horseshoe Bay. At the south of the island lies Picnic Bay, another popular spot which is also home to a nine hole golf course and plenty of shops and bars.
But if you want to see the real Magnetic Island then you need to seek out the beaches that offer you seclusion and privacy, many of which can only be accessed by boat. You can hire small tinnies, or go on day long adventure tours onsailing boats such as the ‘Jazza’, an old style yacht that does tours of the island.

With much of the island being dedicated to National Park the rainforest grows thick and lush. The island rises to a peak in the form of Mt Cook, and between the forest and the hills there are plenty of well maintained trails to keep bushwalkers happy.

There are four small villages along the east coast of the island where most the tourist resorts are all concentrated. No matter your budget, your inclinations or the size of your group, you are sure to find somewhere on Magnetic Island! If you need a hire car to get to Townsville or to explore the coastline, check out Discovery Car Hire.

The second largest sand island in the world, North Stradbroke is a serene, beautiful holiday destination with a laid back vibe and the scenery to match. Its the perfect spot for a family holiday, and although it is inhabited much of the island is secluded, and the small community of locals go a long way to making you feel welcome here.

The ‘Straddie’ scenery is something special. Blue Lake National Park lies on the East Coast and is a great place to do some exploring. You are able to swim in Blue and Brown Lakes, and there are a number of bushwalking trails all over the island. The most beautiful part of the island however has to be the beaches. Long stretches of white sand at Main, Cylinder and Home beaches provide the perfect spot to chill out, and the consistent swell will keep the surfers happy.

Fishing is also a favourite pursuit, and if its seafood you’re after then head to Amity Point where a number of fishermen sell fresh fish straight from their boats. You could follow this up with a game of bowls at the Point Lookout Bowls Club. For more information on things to do and see on the island read this article on 4×4′ing on Straddie.

Getting to North Stradbroke couldn’t be easier. A barge goes across regularly from Cleveland, a Brisbane suburb that is about 45 minutes drive from the city centre. Rates for the ferry range from 17 dollars to 116 dollars. If you need a good deal on a hire car to get there then visit Discovery Car Hire.

In the lush surrounds of Far North Queensland, nestled in amongst the rainforest and just a stones throw from the marine wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, lies the sophisticated and classy town of Port Douglas. The hour long drive from Cairns sticks close to the shore, taking you past the empty white beaches and the gently swaying palms that line the Coral Sea. In the distance the dark mass of Cape Tribulation can be made out extending into the ocean- a tourist destination in itself by virtue of its natural beauty and the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest that covers it.

Port Douglas is a serene tourist haven that caters to everyone from backpackers to the more well off searching for a luxurious break. Once a fishing village, it is the closest port to the Great Barrier Reef, and you will find much of the activities available here are aquatic based. Scuba diving and snorkelling are particular popular, with charters available out to the Barrier Reef as well as to other smaller reefs that lie nearby. For the ultimate experience go on a Skysafari helicopter tour over the reef and to an isolated spot where lunch is provided and you are able to snorkel to your hearts content. Have a read of this article for more ideas of things to see and do in Port Douglas.

Obviously there are lots of accommodation options in Port Douglas, but if you really want to spoil yourself stay at the newest resort in town, POOL. Centred around two 185 metre pools, it is the essence of luxury and the perfect means to forget about your life and just relax.

A rental car will give you the freedom to explore the town and the nearby attractions such as Mossman Gorge in comfort and style.